Since 2005, INTERSTELAR has been grinding it out on every filthy, neon splattered stage in Los Angeles. Honed razor sharp by the laws of the concrete jungle and piloted by founding member, singer and guitarist Jason Kothmann.

Originally enlisting the help of friends Gio DalMonte on bass – replaced shortly afterward by Earl Houston – and Kiko Montecillo on guitar, the trio eventually found Jeff Murray, who now tours with world beating psych thrashers The Shrine  to play drums. With that line-up INTERSTELAR recorded and released their debut EP "React in Silence" in 2006 and continued to play live in and around the Los Angeles area, making inroads wherever they could.

Following numerous line-up changes, the band entered Total Annihilation Studios in East LA in 2011 with engineer Eddie Rivas to record a follow up. Of their second EP, "On Black Waves", the respected site Heavy Planet were keen to point out that INTERSTELAR,  know how to weave sonic webs with even-tempered drums, rolling bass, stuttering guitars, and hypnotic, tongue-twisting vocals," and certainly the same can be said here with the bands first full-length album, Resin. Swallowing everything in its path from the underground skyward, pulling monstrous, stoner rock riffs high above Terra Firma and into realms of sweeping and celestial post and progressive rock, its arguably their finest release to date.

After countless recording and re-recording sessions, endless mixing and that usual dose of intermittent drama, "Resin" was self-released digitally in August 2016 and featured the current line-up of Kothmann on vocals and rhythm guitar, Gary Gladson on lead guitar, PJ McMullan on drums and Joe "Pooch" Puccio on bass.

Out for the very first time on vinyl through Kozmik Artifactz, the official arrival of "Resin" marks a giant progression for the band and one that will raise them up from the underground.

Founded in 2012, Chicago based band PALE HORSEMAN have released their brand new album called "The Fourth Seal" delivering nine tracks of ultra-heavy riffage combining the erosive power of Crowbar with the post apocalyptic despair of Neurosis. With the difference that both the double guitars and vocals turn out way harder spreading from aggressive, pissed off hardcore over thrash-tinged rage and mid-tempo death metal to monolithically rolling doom. PALE HORSEMAN serve merciless, flawlessly played Sludge Metal on "The Fourth Seal", which is haunting from the pulping first riff to the cutting, desperately weeping guitar lead at the end! (SM)

"Gospel of Despair", the sophomore album from UK quintet MONOLITH CULT, was recorded at SkyHammer studios and produced and engineered by Chris Fielding of Conan. MONOLITH CULT took influence from Mastodon, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Candlemass and Black Sabbath (Dio era) to create a crushing, bass-driven sound combining grand storytelling and tons weighing guitar riffage that is soaked with jaw dropping harmonies and melodiosity. "Ghospel of Despair" serves hymnal Epic Doom, which is based on pure 80s heavy metal heroism including top quality high register vocals, interwoven with ubiquitous decline and agony. Serves one catchy ear worm after another – highly recommended! (SM)

Biography:

MONOLITH CULT was formed in 2012 by Bry Outlaw (Vocals, ex-Khang, Threads), Lee Baines (Guitar, ex-Khang, Serenity, Lazarus Blackstar and Solstice), when Bry and Lee were thinking about the possibility of resurrecting Khang. They asked Damo Clarke (Drums, ex When Giants Collide) to come down and jam through a couple of Khang tunes from the 2003 album "Worship The Evil", but rather than attempt to bring Khang back to life. They killed it and decided to create new music for a new band. Soon Izak Buxton (Bass, ex-Chorus of Ruin, Lazarus Blackstar and current Solstice) was on board. The first album 2013 "Run From The Light" was released as a four piece, and received excellent reviews. But with Lee wanting to progress with the sound of the band, Wayne Hustler (Guitar, Ironrat) swore an allegiance to the Cult. This allowed the band's sound to expand with the addition of extra melodies and harmonies. Before recording "Gospel of Despair" Damo had to take time out due to family commitments, Dan Mullins (Drums, My Dying Bride, Bal-Sagoth) stepped in to assist in preproduction and the recording of the album. Recently though Damo has returned and has been re-initiated into the band.

DOOM METAL FRONT

is an independent music magazine spreading the Doom over the world. We prefer sluggish riffing, slow rocking and experimental droning stuff, because we are Born too late. If you think this music is kind of paralyzing, then you are definitely too fast!